HSJ Value in Healthcare Awards 2017: Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Uterine fibroids is one of the most common gynaecological problems in the UK, and symptoms can be severe and damaging to a woman’s quality of life. Variation in access to information and late diagnosis can mean unnecessary suffering and limit treatment options.

The trust worked with women across southeast London to develop a new patient information leaflet and video, to raise awareness and empower women’s conversations with healthcare providers. 10,000 copies have been distributed to GPs and pharmacists, and materials are available online. A new patient support group has been established in response to the call for better peer support.

The judges were impressed with the evidence of co-design with patient groups, which resulted in materials which deliver informed content to women to empower them.

The ability to share and communicate data digitally is at the heart of NHS England’s recently released 10 core targets. Two case studies, one from HSJ’s expert in technology, looks at how these ambitions can be realised.

The NHS is at risk of losing significant amounts of its additional funding growth because of the time it will take to address its workforce shortages, according to a former Department of Health senior official.